This is it, the bike that is going to Stockholm tonight with me, for the 2006 Single Speed World Championship. It's the 1993 Bridgestone XO-1 w/S&S couplers
(and technically a Petaluma Salsa front end, as the original front triangle was replaced sometime in 2000 by Dana Butzow at Dog House). This is the bike that keeps on giving. You may remember it from such CRC hits as Holiday In Cambodia: 9 Single Speed Weeks in Southeast Asia (see CRC #13) It's been raced across the Dakotas, seen much dirt and tarmac action, and just won't quit.
Plus, it fits in this suitcase.
How cool is that? Pretty F'n cool, don't you think?
I'll be long gone to Stockholm Tuesday (15-Aug) to Tuesday (22-Aug). No laptop this trip, so updates might be sporadic. But I've got a new camera, so will hopefully post some photogs upon my return. Kelly Mac, Kevin Bacon, B-Rose, and Eddie Gripgen will be holding it down at CRC. Drop in and say hello. In fact, drop in this Saturday, (19-Aug) and join in on the
SOUND UNSEEN FREERIDE It's a bike crooze, starting from CRC at 4pm, with stops at all the local hotspots. Register for FREE BEER (no shit) at the above website.
Lastly, speaking of Stockholm, O.G. Surly Slug B-Lee Evans sends this bit:
From your friends at BOMP……
"ELECTRIC PRUNES - Stockholm 67 -finds the Electric Prunes at the height of the powers. Some ninnies have griped that the 'Prunes were nothing more than a psychedelic one-hit wonder, and a studio project at best. This performance burns the criticism to the ground. Over-amplified and fuzzed to the max, the 'Prunes here are explosive, noisy and wild. This recording proves that the Electric Prunes deserve to be ranked alongside the very best bands of their era."
PS. the Stockholm Shirts have arrived and are pretty sweet! If there are any left over after the trip, they'll be available at the Cykel Garage.
After Thursday evening's snow squall, (and Friday's requisite Snow Day) it was time to ride the Kona Explosif 29'er down to the Minneapolis Bicycle, Travel, & Fitness Expo. Wading thru the throngs of people anticipating for the Greg LeMond vs. The Lunatic cage match was quite exhausting, however, I did manage to check out Bob Brown's new Route 29 Project. Cool stuff, as usual from Lugmaster Brown.
This is Bob's personal bike. He added the S&S couplers just for the show. Bitchin' fork crown, classic appearance. I want one.
This is the single-bolt sliding dropout of Bob Brown's design, featured on the Route 29 bikes. He assured me that the overall clamping surface is sufficient, and just as strong as more common two-bolt designs.
Over at the Penn Cycle/Trek booth, while the handlebar moustache crowd stood in line to have their picture taken with LeMond, I studied the Travis Brown-designed production 69'er. Their take on the sliding dropout is a beefy number with built-in tensioner. The overall bike design is all swaged and formed aluminum. Looks like a fun trail bike.
